Fuels and utilities priced at$20 in 1961→$180.72 in 2017

Historical Price Inflation for Fuels and utilities

Prices for Fuels And Utilities, 1961-2017 ($20)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for fuels and utilities were
803.62% higher
in 2017 versus 1961.

Between 1961 and 2017:Fuels and utilities experienced an average inflation rate of 4.01% per year.
This rate of change indicates significant inflation.
In other words, fuels and utilities costing $20 in the year 1961 would cost $180.72 in 2017 for an equivalent purchase.
Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.83% during this same period, inflation for fuels and utilities was
similar.

In the year 1961: Pricing changed by 1.22%,
below the average yearly
change for fuels and utilities during the 1961-2017 time period.
Compared to inflation for all items in 1961 (1.07%), price inflation for fuels and utilities was
higher.

Price Inflation for Fuels and utilities since 1952

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Years with the largest changes in pricing:
1974 (18.34%),
1980 (16.43%),
and 1981 (14.60%).

Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Fuels and utilities:

How to calculate the inflation rate for fuels and utilities, 1961-2017

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2017 / CPI in 1961* 1961 USD value = 2017 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Fuels and utilities was 26.262 in the year 1961 and 237.305 in 2017:

237.305 / 26.262* $20 = $180.72

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $20 in 1961 has the same "purchasing power" as $180.72 in 2017 (in the category of Fuels and utilities).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for Fuels and utilities in 1952. In addition to fuels and utilities, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of other goods and services.